PrideFest celebrates all families
Re: “Not a fan of Pride photo,” June 19 letter to the editor
I wonder if the couple who were so outraged about the PrideFest photo felt any sense of that same rage over the much less “family friendly” headlines and photos about forced separation of immigrant families. Our grandchildren know that family consists of those people who love and care for you. Some of their friends are raised by single parents, others by two mommies or two daddies, others by a daddy who is now a mommy. Our family feels comfortable accepting the various families who make up our community. What we can’t accept is the idea that some families don’t matter. They also love and need to be together just like our family does. Family friendly should apply to all families!
Ann Fairbairn, Arvada
Not a fan of Pride photo felt the “very family unfriendly photo” was somehow an insult to … dads? And goes on to say that he “hopes the LGBT community would have more taste and concern for families …” like the LGBT community had editorial control of the newspaper? As a member of the LGBTQ community I’m grateful for your coverage and celebrate the front page placement. People that have never been oppressed tend to forget the history of, and reason for pride marches across the country. Oh, and we have fathers, are fathers, and celebrate Fathers Day as well!
Jeff Hammerberg, Denver
About climate change: What do we do next?
Re: “ ‘A different world’ with global warming,” June 18 news story
Unfortunately this article hits home for far too many Coloradans. T-Shirt weather in January is, on the surface, a perk, but actually means low snowpack, low stream flows, drought, and wildfire. And it’s true, all of the above are battering Coloradans from all sides. Southwestern Colorado experienced dismal snowpack, several Colorado rivers have reached peak flows prematurely, seven Colorado counties qualify as disaster areas due to extreme drought, and the 416 fire has already wrought destruction on La Plata County. It’s only June.
There is no disputing that climate change is here. And it may well get the better of us if we don’t act now to cut carbon emissions in Colorado. Unfortunately the Trump administration chooses to ignore “the train in the living room” and plans to roll back valuable carbon cutting policies like federal clean car standards. Transportation is our state’s second largest carbon emitting sector so upholding these standards is essential to combating climate change in Colorado. We experience the local implications of climate change first hand, and thus we should be leading the charge and demand the enforcement of 177 clean car standards in our state.
Kelsey Maxwell, Denver
Another day of more lengthy front-page articles on the Democratic governor’s primary and global warming. I would not know from reading The Post if the Republicans even had a candidate for governor since I don’t recall any coverage of that race.
I read the newspaper to get a diversity of opinions and to be challenged not to be lectured on the “correct” point of view. If I want that then I would read the Democratic Party press releases or 350.org. I have thus decided to cancel my Post subscription since it appears that a purpose of this paper now is to promote certain ideologies.
Bill Turner, Aurora
Good journalists and newspapers are as scarce as polar bears these days, so you deserve extra kudos for your stark, factual series on climate change.
An avid outdoorswoman since the 1960s, I have been qualitatively aware of this train wreck since the 80s. Though I did not have babies myself, I do have a wonderful family and six grandchildren. I daily grieve for their dwindling futures, and I blame our collective blind ignorance and refusal to be educated, to work together, and to craft the massive solutions we needed to mitigate the inevitable horrors we have wrought.
Linda J. Drake, Denver
Reduce elk licenses?
If Colorado Parks and Wildlife is so concerned about a rapid decline in the Eagle Valley elk population, why does it continue to sell so many elk hunting licenses? According to a 2014 Associated Press article, “about 43,000 (elk in Colorado) are harvested each year.” Of course not all of that “harvest” comes from Eagle Valley, but perhaps eliminating or reducing harvest quotas would be part of the solution. If any species is on the decline but we continue to kill it, how then can we expect its population to increase?
Roland Halpern, Denver
On emissions standards
Low-emissions vehicle standards don’t cede authority to out-of-staters. They empower local businesses. Gas prices here in Colorado have spiked nearly 20 percent the past three months. For hundreds of local businesses — florists, carpenters, farmers, etc. — this wreaks havoc on bottom lines. By spurring an increase in availability of low-emission vehicles, the standards will help keep companies’ fuel expenses in check no matter the price of a barrel of oil.
There’s another way the standards boost Colorado’s economy: jobs. According to the just-released Clean Jobs Colorado report from the Rocky Mountains chapter of the national business group E2, there are already more than 2,700 clean vehicles jobs in Colorado. From installing new charging stations along Interstate 70 to developing electric drivetrains for vans, the new standards Gov. John Hickenlooper announced will help create even more job opportunities for this fast-growing Colorado workforce.
Susan Nedell, Louisville
Maybe it is time to protest … protests
The current number of protests in this country is exhausting. Protests against the police, political candidates, government officials and agencies, schools, businesses, events, individuals, etc. I am a supporter of activism, but when every public issue is accompanied by a protest, it becomes annoying and, unfortunately has become the norm. I hope the general public will become annoyed by this constant scenario, and act accordingly. I am seriously considering starting a protest to protest the protests.
Michael Hult, Arvada
Unaffiliated voter shouldn’t mean undecided
Re: “Unaffiliated voters have a voice,” June 19 column
Jack Graham recently made a great case for unaffiliated voter participation in the upcoming primary election after railing (deservedly) against both mainstream political parties without failing to emphasize the point that, that would require choosing one of those parties’ primary ballot candidates to vote for. The problem lies with dissatisfaction with both parties — but it is still the only game in town. Unaffiliated voters must choose which of the two “failing” parties to back — there is no “Unaffiliated Party” primary choice of candidates to support. Since Graham is clearly unhappy with both parties for different but also similar reasons, I would ask him to identify who of the two parties has had complete control of the national legislature for the last two years, congressional control for the last four and which party has had more direct control over the “constant bickering, gamesmanship and lack of action” he identifies as the reason for such a large percentage of unaffiliated voters. One doesn’t have to think too hard to identify which party deserves that blame today. If there are only two choices — I know which one I hope will lead the way to much-needed change and integrity because it is sorely needed.
Trish R. Philbrook, Denver
Student finds Sen. Bennet’s speech lacking in respect
Sen. Michael Bennet, spoke before a group of Colorado students attending National History Day in Washington D. C. this past week, one of which was my grandson. He was sitting in the front row listening to Bennet talk about presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He found the comments disparaging and unnecessary as you never once said “President Trump” — always Trump or Donald Trump. I guess Bennet is unaware, but we have a duly new elected president that, properly addressed is President Trump. He took the opportunity to disparage the current administration and Trump, by pumping his party line on immigration, the wall, abortion, and other issues. What a sorry way for a senator to show the young people of Colorado the inner workings of our government! He owes that group of young people representing Colorado an apology! Those young folks worked hard to get to the National History Day competition in Washington D.C. I think they deserve better out of our elected officials and a sitting senator. Bennet should be showing the young people of our country how to respect their elders, and the president, even if he doesn’t agree with his party or agenda. I am a very offended grandmother, and disappointed in Bennet’s leadership. You should be ashamed of yourself. My Grandson’s first time to meet a senator from Colorado, and he picked right up on you — disparaging the president and spinning your party line.
Bobbi Holmes, Centennial